Re, bovine blood--I think the answer lies somewhere between corruption and poverty; only those two reasons are cause for someone to use bovine blood in winemaking. So, stick with reputable wine names and you might be ok.

I know I am nuts for getting into a political argument online but a comment to tandkvd's post:

I agree, we should go after Osama bin Laden, should have done it a long time ago, instead of supporting him when he fought the Russians; we should also go after the Saudi Arabian money and people who prop up the terrorists.

Last I heard bin Laden and his group were scattered throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan. So why are we going to Iraq instead?

In fact, there was a good analysis of why Iraq, in the Feb 16 Sunday edition of the NY Times. Check it out.

C'mon in, the water's fine. Ain't had a good mix-'em-up in a while now.

Think my words above about "don't know what he will do" and implying "he" (undefined) should attack might have been misconstrued. I was speaking of the Pres. After W has weighed all the evidence and possible results, I think that will emerge as a very reasonable option for him: attack!

Hence, he'll be leading a boycott of French wine, entitled "Americans with a Memory".

Glad to see Tinsel Town taking the high road into international politics, something they do so well.

Next time Mr. Levine cares to look, he could check out the polls in Europe --including in France and in the countries whose governments support the US on Iraq, like the UK and Spain -- that show overwhelming majorities against a war in Iraq. Does he think such a boycott is really going to help anything? He's giving another good excuse for anti-Americanism sentiment among Europeans with his ham-fisted approach.

Is he one of your clients, Roberto? If he is, you can thank him for me, because it means more for us Francophilic oenophiles! It might even offset recent price pressure from the stronger euro (which has increased in value against the dollar due to, ironically, fears of war!).

Below is a transcript from the first U.N. Security Council meeting between the English and the French....Kind of the same as today.

Drew

ARTHUR:
If you will not show us the Grail, we shall take your castle by force!

FRENCH GUARD:
You don't frighten us, English pig-dogs! Go and boil your bottom, sons of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called Arthur King, you and all your silly English k-nnnnniggets. Thpppppt! Thppt! Thppt!

GALAHAD:
What a strange person.

ARTHUR:
Now look here, my good man--

FRENCH GUARD:
I don't wanna talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

GALAHAD:
Is there someone else up there we could talk to?

FRENCH GUARD:
No. Now, go away, or I shall taunt you a second time-a! [sniff]